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Authorities in Hong Kong have detained 13 individuals on suspected charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the recent catastrophic blaze, amidst increasing public outcry over the detentions of citizens demanding responsibility.

Ongoing Rescue Operations as Death Toll Rises

Emergency services continued to search through the seven-building complex of the Wang Fuk Court estate in the Tai Po district on the start of the week, following the city’s deadliest fire in seven and a half decades. The death toll rose to one hundred and fifty-one and is anticipated to climb further as the search continues. Approximately forty people are currently missing.

Renovations Connected with Cause of Blaze

The estate, home to almost five thousand people, had been undergoing major refurbishment that have been linked to the fire’s cause. In the aftermath, public fury has escalated over alleged past safety violations by the contractor working at the location and lax enforcement of standards, spurred on by revelations that residents had been complaining about the work for a twelve months.

Arrests Include Company Directors

On Monday afternoon, officials said the anti-graft agency had detained 13 people over the tragedy so far, including the executives and an technical advisor of a construction company, and had “promptly initiated comprehensive investigation along the lines of involuntary manslaughter”.

Safety Failures Uncovered

A senior official stated that seven of 20 tested samples of the mesh netting used around the towers did not meet fire-retardant standards. Initial testing had found samples were compliant, but the official said the cheaper, substandard material had been put in areas hard to reach in order to avoid discovery, labeling it a “shameful act”.

“They just wanted to profit at the cost of people’s lives,” the official stated.

Civilians Arrested Amid Calls for Accountability

As allegations of safety violations grow, alongside revelations that government authorities had issued multiple seemingly unenforced warnings, residents have questioned why no officials have yet faced consequences. Conversely, two civilians were reportedly taken into custody by security forces.

A person, named as a local student, was arrested over an online petition that made “four requests” for guaranteed support for the victims and responsibility for those at fault, including any negligent or responsible public servants.

Reports said the student was arrested for “seditious intention”. Police did not verify the detention, saying only that they “will act according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law”.

News outlets also reported the detention of a ex-local representative.

Government Statement on Detentions

Asked about the arrests, the security chief said there had been “misleading statements on the internet” that were intended to undermine public security. “Therefore, we must take appropriate measures, including law enforcement measures,” the secretary told a media briefing. “Specifics of the operation cannot be revealed as they involve state security.”

Public Reaction and Parallels Drawn

On Hong Kong social media, people criticised the arrests of civilians. “National security must be given precedence even if the dead are still buried in the structure,” said a comment.

Several users made parallels to the Chinese mainland. “There, such acts are called ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’,” said one commenter. “It’s usually punished with severe penalties. Social order overrides everything.”

A different user said: “Since we are aligning with the mainland’s methods, by targeting the person who raises the question, no one will dare to ask, and therefore the city's administration will have no problems.”

Heightened Sensitivity and Community Response

The detentions followed warnings by security officials that they would take action against anyone deemed to be exploiting the incident to incite “anti-China” feelings.

Prior to the arrests, officials had already demonstrated increased vigilance to the public reaction. Following the quelling of earlier protests, civilian gatherings have been tightly controlled. In the days following the fire, community volunteers rapidly established aid operations, with many individuals using vehicles and transit to deliver mountains of garments, supplies and other necessities for the survivors.

Nevertheless, by nightfall, officers were patrolling the area, and public authorities soon took over from the volunteer organisers.

The appeal over which the individual was reportedly arrested was initiated late on Friday. Its “four demands” echoed the language of past campaigns but did not call for political change.

The student told reporters that he was only “putting forward fundamental requests”.

“If these ideas are considered seditious or ‘transgressive’, then I feel I cannot foresee the consequences of any action any more, and I can only do what I truly believe is right,” he stated.